The Child Protection Office, affiliated with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria’s Committee of Social Affairs and Work in Manbij, a city controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), started issuing work cards for children ages 10 to 18 in late June. 

The decision is the first of its kind in northeastern Syria and may be extended to all areas under the control of the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration. To receive the card, the family must submit identification papers confirming the age of the child, the type of work involved and the work hours. 

On March 24, the Child Protection Office issued a circular specifying the types of activities that children are not allowed to carry out, because they are classified as dangerous and extremely dangerous, such as drilling, construction work and work involving chemicals or requiring great physical effort. Children are allowed to work with family and relatives, in shops, pharmacies, libraries and printing shops, in agriculture, on farms, and with paint, according to the circular. 

The Child Protection Office was established by the Autonomous Administration in August 2020 with the aim to protect children from the SDF’s forced conscription.